Job Discussion Forums

KatherineK · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 1 Location: USA

I'm enjoying reading all the wisdom from the forum and wonder if everyone involved is like the nineteen year old who just graduated...I am in my fifties with a Masters in English. Currently I am teaching English composition on the university level. Prior to that I spent eight years in a high school teaching both English, speech, and drama.

I am intrigued with China and am searching for adventure before my move to the nursing home! How will my age affect me overseas? I have already discoverd that JET accepts applicants only up to 40.

Also, I don't have a TEFL cert but wonder what my degrees and experience will do for me in finding a position.

Katherine K

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

Being intrigued with China and worried that JET only accepts people who are under forty seems a bt strange.

You could look into sister cities in Japan, if you want a JET-like job, in Japan. Not China.

You could look into international schools.

Doglover · Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 305 Location: Kansai

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

Some of the sister-city arrangements in Japan include sister-city ALTs. There are a few in my city. They have basically the same job as the JETs.

BoEs sometimes like sister-city ALTs because it ensures that the ALT will be from a specific country (and in fact a specific area of the country). For JETs, they can request, but if they are trying to get someone too late (like if a JET who declared he/she wanted to recontract and then changed his/her mind- so I'm talking about getting alternates) then they may not get the country that they want.

Not all sister cities send ALTs, though. Probably most don't.

Super Mario · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 5:57 am Post subject:

If China intrigues you, go ahead. You'll get virtually any job you apply for.
Don't worry about countries that think you've passed your used by date.
Been there. Done that.

been_there · Joined: 28 Oct 2003 Posts: 284 Location: 127.0.0.1

With your experience, go for Director of Studies/Head Teacher/Academic Director jobs.

More cash (and more headaches) and more respect.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

keepwalking · Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 194 Location: Peru, at last

Don't let unnecesary worries about your age hold you back. Check out the TES for jobs in China. You may find that the majority of your colleagues are much younger than you, but the fact that you have all chosen to live abroad will close that gap.

As for TEFL, I started in TEFL and then went into British high schools via PGCE. With your experience you won't need a TEFL to actually teach, but be aware that some schools require it in order to fulfill visa requirements.

If you have the urge to teach abroad, check out your options. After 8 years teaching in the UK you need and deserve somethng different! Trust me, I know, I only lasted 7 years before getting the hell out and I have never looked back.

Good luck

JDYoung · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 157 Location: Dongbei

I started teaching in China at age 55. I turn 58 in a couple of weeks and plan to continue either in China or elsewhere until no one wants me. We've had teachers at my school into their seventies. Health is more of an issue than age. With your qualifications you would be snapped up in a jiffy. A TEFL course might be of interest to you if only to understand the difference between teaching content and teaching language but you wouldn't necessarily need it to get a job. For a softer landing, look for a job at a university. My school, a semi-autonomous branch of a university, is recruiting so PM me for further info if you're interested.